Michigan
7-1-0, 4-0-0CCHA
Nebraska-Omaha
1-4-0, 0-4-0CCHA
Sauer Superb as Michigan Sweeps Nebraska-Omaha
11/3/2007 12:00:00 AM | Ice Hockey
OMAHA, Neb. -- The No. 2-ranked University of Michigan ice hockey team finished off a weekend road sweep of Nebraska-Omaha with a 3-2 triumph Saturday night (Nov. 3). Billy Sauer (Walworth, N.Y.) had a standout performance with 28 saves, which earned him first-star honors, and Carl Hagelin (Sodertalje, Sweden) scored the game-winning goal with 2:53 remaining in regulation. The Wolverines have won six straight games -- their longest such span since the middle of last season (Jan. 19-Feb. 3, 2007).
After holding a 2-0 lead through 20 minutes, the Maize and Blue surrendered two goals in the second period to head into the final frame tied. Hagelin's late rebound tally turned out to be the difference in the game for U-M.
Kevin Porter (Northville, Mich.) wasted little time in upping his point streak to seven games with a goal at 5:38 of the first period. The Wolverines had an outstanding shift leading up to the goal as they cycled the puck in UNO's zone. Eventually, Max Pacioretty (New Canaan, Conn.) sent the puck from the right corner to the point for Chad Langlais (Spokane, Wash.), who quickly relayed it down to the right circle for Porter to easily slap past netminder Jerad Kaufmann.
The Wolverines opened up a 2-0 lead at 8:13 on a power-play rush by Travis Turnbull (Chesterfield, Mo.) and Louie Caporusso (Woodbridge, Ontario). Turnbull received a pass from Langlais and skated down the middle of the ice. Caporusso streaked down the left wing, took Turnbull's pass and beat the goalie low to the far post.
Sauer made his first key save of the game near the middle of the first period on Alain Goulet's open shot from the hash marks to keep U-M's lead at two. Two minutes later, Sauer and the Wolverines denied the Mavericks' first power play of the night.
UNO cut its deficit in half with a four-on-three power play just 1:25 into the second period. Mick Lawrence got a step on his defender upon receiving a pass along the right wing and made a quick deke to beat Sauer to the stick side.
The Wolverines peppered Kaufmann and the UNO defense for almost a minute near the 13-minute mark, but they were unable to pad their lead.
Nebraska-Omaha tied the game at 2-2 at 10:12. Just after clearing its blue line, Michigan turned the puck over and recovered hastily as UNO's Rich Purslow carried the puck back in. Purslow's shot was stopped, but the rebound bounced around near the crease and Blake Martin managed to jam it through Sauer.
A minute and a half later, Sauer bounced back and came up with a big glove save on Lawrence, who had been sprung on a breakaway.
With three minutes left in the second, Sauer was sharp yet again with three saves in a span of seconds on Eddie Del Grosso from the slot and JJ Koehler on the ensuing rebound. After quickly resetting, he stopped a point shot from Goulet. For the period, the Mavericks outshot the Wolverines by a 14-3 margin.
Michigan's power play to start the third period was squandered as the Wolverines did not register a shot on goal.
Sauer stoned Joey Martin's backhand attempt four minutes into the third on two-on-one break. Just afterwards, the Mavericks picked up a power play that forced Sauer to remain on top of his game.
U-M had its chances, too. During UNO's power play, Chad Kolarik (Abington, Pa.) hit the right post on a two-on-one, and two minutes later Porter hit the same post.
The first and last of three penalties called over a span of 1:19 went against Michigan, resulting in a four-on-three power play for the Mavericks. The Wolverines survived as Sauer was again up to the challenge.
Hagelin put U-M ahead for good with his goal at at 17:07. Chris Summers (Milan, Mich.) dumped the puck into the right corner, where Turnbull retrieved it and sent it into the crease from a sharp angle. Crashing the net, Hagelin swatted the loose puck up and over the goalie.
Sauer's last big save came with a little over a minute left in regulation when he shut down Dan Swanson's wrist shot from the right circle. Goulet's last-ditch effort with time expiring was blocked by Mark Mitera (Livonia, Mich.) to clinch the win.
The Wolverines return to Ann Arbor to host Alaska next Friday and Saturday (Nov. 9-10). Both games will start at 7:35 p.m.
Contact: Matt Trevor (734) 763-4423
